Wells r



(No Model.)

W. R. DAVIS.

- SNAP HOOK.

No. 454,034. Patented June 16, 1891.

IIJQQLIJ'IEP WZZwRLDav is,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVELLS R. DAVIS, OF ALBERTA, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ENEAS A. TRENARY, OF SAME PLACE.

SNAP-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 454,034, dated June 16,1891. Application filed November 1,1890. Serial No. 370,012. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, VVELLS R. DAVIs,a citizen of the United States, residing at Alberta, in the county of Henry and State of Missouri, have invented anew and useful Snap-Hook, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to improvements in snap-hooks, the objects in view being to provide a snap-hook of strong and durable construction, that may be easily manufactured, that will not beliable to get out of order,which may be manipulated with one hand, and is unaffected by cold or sleety weather.

The other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in .the claim.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective of a snap-hook constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section, the parts being in the position they occupy when in the act of receiving or disengaging with a ring.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In practicing my invention I construct the shank, the hook, and the spring-tongue,to-

gether with the strap-receiving loop at the opposite end of the shank, preferably in a single integral piece of metal, though,if desired, it will be apparent that thetongue maybe secured to the end of the hook. Such, however, is not preferable, as it detracts from the durability of the device.

1 designates the shank of the hook, at the rear end of which is integrally formed the transverse loop 2, to which may be attached the end of a strap in the usual manner. The shank is curved at its'front end to produce the usual hook 3, and from this point on is rearwardly disposed over the shank, and is thin the major portion of its length to form a spring-tongue l, the extremity of which is rounded, as shown, so as to facilitate the introduction of a ring. At its extremity the spring-tongue is slightly thicker than immediately in front of the same, and upon its under side is provided with a curved locking-lug 6, which fits loosely in a similar recess formed in the shank directly opposite the lug, and is pressed therein by the resiliency of the tongue.

It will at once be obvious that to introduce the hook over a ring it is simply necessary to pass the hook as a whole through the ring until a portion of the latter is engaged between the shank of the hook and the end of the tongue, when a slight pull will serve to force the ring under the tongue, elevate the latter from its recess, as shown in Fig. 2, and thus the ring is permitted to pass into the hook. To disengage the ring and the hook it is simply necessary to push the hook,when the ring will ride under the tongue, and in a similar manner as the ring was engaged will pass from under the tongue.

It will be apparent that the entire operation of engaging and disengaging the hook with the ring maybe carried on with one hand, so that the remaininghand is free to be used for other purposes, and, furthermore, that the hook will operate whether-covered with sleet and snow or not. By reason of the fact that the spring is not operated by the thumb much stronger springs can be employed than are ordinarily employed in snap-hooks, so that the hook as a whole is not only stronger and safer, but may be more easily operated.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- The herein-described snap-hook, consisting of a rigid shank adapted at its rear end for connection with a strap, and bent at its front end to form a rigid curved hook, and beyond said hook reduced and rearwardly extended over the shank, forming a spring-tongue terminating at its free end inanib, and provided upon its under side with a curved lockinglug pressed by the spring into a recess formed in the shank, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WELLS R. DAVIS.

Witnesses:

O. E. MILLER, ED. WEAKLY. 

